Sophie Turner's Lara Croft Ditches Sex Appeal for Strength
The Game of Thrones star reveals Amazon's upcoming Tomb Raider series will showcase a completely different side of the iconic video game character, moving away from decades of sexualized portrayals.
Sophie Turner wants to flip the script on Lara Croft. The actress, set to star in Amazon's upcoming Tomb Raider series, told the L.A. Times her version won't be a "sex bombshell." Instead, she's focusing on what makes the character tick beyond her physical appeal.
"It's about her and her story and what drives her, rather than what so many people also love about her, which is how hot she is in the games and the movies," Turner explained. The approach marks a deliberate shift from Lara's origins as an unexpected digital icon of the 90s.
Showcasing Capability Over Curves
Turner's vision, guided by Phoebe Waller-Bridge's production, centers on Lara's intellectual prowess. "I really want to show the other side," the actress said. "She's so unashamedly capable. She is not a woman who hides her strengths at all."
The first promotional images actually nod to Tomb Raider's classic era. Turner sports the signature red sunglasses that defined Lara in Tomb Raider 3 and countless magazine covers from that time period.
A Quarter-Century Evolution
Lara hasn't leaned into sexuality for nearly 25 years. Not since Angelina Jolie's movie portrayal has the character been marketed primarily on sex appeal. The 2000s Legend trilogy shifted focus to adventure and personal stakes. The recent reboot series featuring a younger Lara continued this trend.
Current Lara Croft voice actor Alix Wilton Regan, who works on Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and the upcoming 2027 release Tomb Raider: Catalyst, endorsed Turner's approach on Instagram. "Lara looking mighty fine / fire / fierce these days. @sophieturner - I AM HERE FOR IT," she wrote.
Amazon hasn't announced a release date for the Tomb Raider television series yet.